WESTLAND PROGRESS LEAGUE

Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1929, Page 6

WESTLAND PROGRESS LEAGUE

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER .6th. The ordinary meeting of the Executive was held at the County Chambers at 7.40 p.m. Present: Dr Teichelmann (President), T. W, Duff, W. E. Richards, D. J. Evans, J. Kerr, T. W. Bruce, and H. G. Coles. Apology was made for the absence of Mr W. J. Butler. The minutes of the previous meet : ing were confirmed. • The outward correspondence was read and approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Organiser, Canterbury Winter SlioW, regarding space, etc., and forwarding accounts for £6, space, and 11s, lighting, charges.—Received and accounts passed for payment. From District Engineer, Public Works, Greymoutli, acknowledging League’s representations referring to motor road to Franz Josef, and intimating that the League’s views will be considered before any finality is reached respecting proposal.—Received with thanks. >

From Prime Minister replying in regard to the wood pulp application,-and explaining at.. considerable' .length the Government attitude on the matter.- — Received with thanks. Mr Chas. . Webb, connected with the Westland Wood Pulp Syndicate Ltd. was present bv invitation, and explainecl the general proposals,by the Syndicate, pointing out the evident misunderstanding in respect to the matter. Mr Evans moved that the Prime Minister be thanked for his very full explanatory reply, and the League acknowledges the .attitude of the Government in taking necessary steps to safeguard na- ( tional interests, but at the same time an important industrial enterprise is in jeopardy of being checked, and in view of the apparent misunderstanding, the Department be asked to send down an officer to meet the League and discuss any differences with a view to a settlement being reached in keeping with the interests of the Dominion as a whole. Dr Teichelmann seconded the motion, which was approved generally and carried.

From Secretary, Westland Wood Pulp Syndicate, Christchurch, forwarding copy of brochure. —Received and filed. i

From Wilson and Horton, Auckland, re advertising scenic attraction in Special Tourist Issue issued in November next.—Received and consideration deferred to await quotations.

From Organiser, Canterbury Progress League, (1) Forwarding pamphlet “The Case for the Lewis Pass Highway,” and asking League to support movement; (2) acknowledging copy of minutes off General Annual Meeting and copy of balance sheet for the year ended 31st March ; (3) forwarding copy of annual report of Canterbury Progress League for year ended 31st March, 1929, also copy of minutes of meetings; (4) asking whether .the branch endorses application of Okarito Harbour League for vote on estimates for harbour improvement, Okarito. — Received; the Secretary said a reply had been sent supporting the Okarito harbour project. Air Evans stated he had attended the last meeting of the Canterbury Progress League when he had been received with every courtesy. Matters affecting Westland interests had been discussed and the League was giving every attention to questions brought before it. From Prime Minister, Canterbury Progress League, Tourist Department, and Canterbury Automobile Association acknowledging representations regarding motor road to the Fraiy'. Josef Glacier.—Received with thanks.

From J. O’Brien, M.P., replying that he had pleasure in representing the League at the South Island Main Trunk Railway Conference.—Received with thanks. From Prime Minister, cordially thanking the League for its support to the South Island Main Trunk Railway proposals.—Received. From General Manager, TouHst Department, regarding Mahinapua Creek road; intimating that his Department had no roads vote and that application should he made to Public Works Department.—Received and the Secretary reported application had promptly been made to the Public Works Engineer. —Received and approved. GENERAL. «;The Treasurer reported a credit balance of £25. The accounts in connection with the Westland stand at the Christchurch Winter Show, aggregating £73 os lid were presented and passed for payment. The necessary levy on the contributors who had promised to help financially was struck and left with the Secretary for collection. Mr Kerr of the West Coast Motors said he was quite pleased with the result from a business point otf view. Other complimentary references were made to the success of the stand.

It was resolved to vote £5 towards the Railway Publicity booklet being issued to advertise the attractions of the glacier country in South Westland.

It was decided on the motion of Mr Evans, seconded by Mr Duff, to write the Canterbury Automobile Association and urge attention to the SpringfieldOtira road so as to maintain East and West Coast motor traffic to the best effect.

Mr Evans referred to the advisability of next year setting up a Westland County exhibit at the Canterbury Winter Show, in competition with the East Coast Counties. The management of the show attracted these displays, and -not only gave free space with a front-